Flexible numbering in mobile networks

Abstract

In a mobile telecommunications network, a subscriber having a primary subscription on a home mobile network registers one or more flexible subscriber numbers on a secondary network that are associated with the primary subscription. A caller places a call to a subscriber through a serving network using the flexible subscriber number. The flexible subscriber number is translated into a primary MSISDN and the call is connected to the subscriber so that roaming charges to the subscriber are minimized.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to mobile telecommunications and more particularly to systems and methods for allocating mobile numbers and providing communications on mobile networks.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Each mobile subscriber is assigned a mobile phone number. For example, in the US it is a country code plus 10 digit number comprised of the area code followed by a 7 digit locally assigned number.[0003]There are several cases when the present numbering scheme is inadequate or insufficient. An example is the case of a family or a group of co-workers traveling from US to Europe. If one member of the group wants to call another (either using a cell phone or from a local land line such as a hotel phone), he or she would have to dial the full phone number of the called party. When such a call is placed, it will be first routed to the home country (i.e. US). Then it will be routed back to where the subscriber is actually roaming. The resulting charges are u...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present invention overcomes the abovementioned disadvantages by providing a flexible subscriber numbering system in which a subscriber can allocate additional mobile numbers to his or her subscription. The numbers may be allocated of a limited duration, or permanently. In addition the numbers may be allocated based on geographic location or a country. The subscriber may select the duration of the number allocation as well as the geographic number allocation using a simple web based interface.

Problems solved by technology

There are several cases when the present numbering scheme is inadequate or insufficient.

The resulting charges are unpredictable and certainly much higher than necessary.

As a result people that travel may be forced not to use the cell phone or purchase a separate prepaid card.

Use of prepaid card results in revenue loss to the US operator plus the subscriber no longer has access to his or her regular phone service.

From a local user perspective, a problem with communications in the modern age is the volume of unsolicited or unwanted calls that a user may receive.

Unfortunately, this leads to unsolicited calls even once the temporary need to advertise the number has expired.

Images